Habib, Draper Enroute to the Mideast

The State Department announced today that U.S. special envoys Philip Habib and Morris Draper are enroute to the Middle East but, as a matter of policy, would not disclose their first destination.

Department deputy spokesman Alan Romberg also refused to discuss details of the “new ideas” they were taking with them to advance negotiations for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon. He disclosed, however, that those ideas were developed after Habib and Draper talked with President Reagan and Secretary of State George Shultz.

Romberg said “It is quite possible” that the envoys will return to Washington to be on hand for Jordan’s King Hussein’s meeting with President Reagan on December 21.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Foreign Minister Elie Salem, who is in Washington this week for meetings with American officials, met today with Deputy Secretary of State Kenneth Dam and Nicholas Veliotes, Assistant Secretary of State for Near East and South Asian Affairs. Salem will meet with Shultz in London on Thursday.

Romberg was asked if the U.S. supported Salem’s proposal that the multinational force now in Lebanon be expanded to include units from other European countries and Latin American countries. He replied: “We have indicated before that is clearly one of the options in terms of filling in during the departure of foreign forces. It is something that already has been discussed between our governments. (U.S. and Lebanon). It simply is premature to discuss the possibilities of other countries” taking part “although the Lebanese have talked publicly about such participation.”

Romberg had no comment about reports from Amman today that Jordan and the PLO had reached agreement on “joint” political moves.